An MP has pressed David Cameron to elaborate on his claim that there is a “specific scheme” in place to support rural pharmacies.

Labour MP for Workington Sue Hayman used Prime Minister's Questions last week (April 20) to ask Mr Cameron how the government is supporting independent pharmacies. He responded that it is already “supporting rural pharmacies” and “there is a specific scheme to help there”.

Ms Hayman said “a number of people from the sector” had contacted her to point out that “there is no such scheme currently in existence”, in a letter sent to Mr Cameron the following day. "Although I understand that the government has said it will consult on a scheme to maintain access to pharmacies in rural areas,” Ms Hayman wrote.

“You may also see from my question that I was asking about independently run pharmacies, not rural pharmacies, so would appreciate clarification on support for the independent sector,” she added in the letter.

Misinformed or unaware?

When asked by C+D whether she thought Mr Cameron had been misinformed about the scheme, Ms Hayman suggested that he “just didn't know what he was talking about”.

She “hopes” the Prime Minister will clarify his statement after reading the letter, Ms Hayman added.

View the two pages of Ms Hayman’s letter here and here.

The National Pharmacy Association also wrote to Mr Cameron to warn that he had been "misled" by his advisors. Read the letter in full here.

What do you make of Ms Hayman's letter?

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